LEMONGRASS CYMBOPOGON CITRATUS

LEMONGRASS (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf.) ++ Synonym:

Andropogon citratus DC. Activities (Lemongrass) :
Abortifacient (f; JFM); Analgesic (1; APA; JBU; PH2; TRA); Antibacterial (1; JBU; MPG); Antifilaric (1; TRA); Antimutagenic (1; MPG); Antioxidant (1; TRA); Antipyretic (1; AAB; PH2; TRA); Antiseptic (1; APA; DAA; MPG; TRA); Antispasmodic (1; AAB; MPI; TRA); Anxiolytic (1; MPG); Ascaricide (1; MPG); Astringent (1; PH2); Candidicide (1; AAB); Carminative (f; MPG; MPI); CNS Depressant (1; TRA); Contraceptive (f; DAV); Decongestant (2; TRA); Dentifrice (f; MPG); Depurative (f; MPG); Diaphoretic (f; AAB; JFM; MPG; MPI); Digestive (f; DAV); Diuretic (1; PH2; WBB); Emmenagogue (1; AHP; IHB); Expectorant (2; AAB; MPG; TRA); Fungicide (1; AAB); Glutathionigenic (1; TRA); Hypotensive (1; APA; PH2; TRA); Insecticide (1; TRA); Insectifuge (f; MPG); Insulinomimetic (1; HHB); Sedative (1; CRC; MPG; PH2; TRA); Stimulant (f; MPI; SKJ); Stomachic (f; JFM); Tonic (f; MPG); Uterotonic (1; AHP); Vermifuge (1; MPG).

Indications (Lemongrass) :
Acid Indigestion (f; DAV); Anxiety (1; MPG); Ascaris (1; MPG); Backache (f; AAB); Bacteria (1; AAB; JBU; MPG; PH2); Bronchosis (1; PH2; TRA); Bruise (f; MPG); Cancer (1; MPG; JNU); Candida (1; AAB); Catarrh (f; MPG); Cholera (f; MPI; SKJ); Cold (1; AAB; TRA); Colic (f; JFM); Congestion (2; TRA); Cough (f; APA; MPG; TRA); Cramp (1; AAB; APA; MPG; MPI; TRA); Dermatosis (f; APA); Diabetes (f; HHB); Diarrhea (f; APA); Dysmenorrhea (f; DAV); Dyspepsia (f; APA; IED; MPG); Dysuria (f; JFM); Enterosis (f; APA; DAV; MPG; PH2); Fatigue (f; KOM); Fever (1; AAB; APA; DAV; IED; JFM; MPG; MPI; PH2; TRA); Flu (f; APA; MPG; TRA); Fungus (1; AAB); Gas (f; APA; MPG; MIP; PH2; TRA); Gastrosis (f; AAB; APA; DAV; MPG; PH2); Gingivosis (f; JFM); Headache (f; AAB; SKJ; WBB); High Cholesterol (2; MPG); High Blood Pressure (1; APA; MPG; PH2; TRA); Infection (1; AAB; DAA; JBU); Insomnia (1; APA; CRC; MPG; PH2; TRA); Leprosy (1; PH2; WBB); Lumbago (f; PH2); Malaria (f; JFM; SKJ); Myalgia (1; AAB; KOM); Mycosis (1; AAB); Nervousness (1; CRC; MPG; PH2; TRA); Neuralgia (f; KOM; MPG; PH2); Pain (1; AAB; APA; JBU; PH2; TRA); Parasite (f; PH2); Pneumonia (f; JFM); Pulmonosis (f; MPG); Pyorrhea (f; JFM); Rheumatism (f; APA; PH2); Ringworm (f; APA); Stomachache (f; DAA; DAV; MPG; TRA); Toothache (f; WBB); Tuberculosis (f; JFM); UTI (f; MPG); Water Retention (1; PH2; WBB); Worm (1; MPG); Wound (f; MPG); Yeast (1; AAB).

Dosages (Lemongrass) :
1–4 g dry leaf/cup water (JAD); 1 mashed root and 10 leaves in 3 cups water for 10 min., drink hot before retiring for fever (AAB); 15 leaves in decoction for fever (JFM).

Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Lemongrass) :
Class 2b. Very safe (AHP; JAD). Emmenagogue and uterotonic (AHP). TRAMIL suggest that grass teas be strained to remove fibers that may damage the stomach (TRA). Commission E reports herb and EO not permitted for therapeutic use. Allergic contact dermatosis occurs rarely (AEH). Citronella oil indicated in accidental poisoning of 21-month-old child. Volunteer testing revealed no toxic effects from lemongrass tea prepared from 4 g of plant, administered in a single dose or 2 weeks of daily oral doses. Higher amounts caused upset stomach (10 g) and diarrhea (4 g for 14 days) in volunteers. Polyuria was also reported by some volunteers (AEH). JNU mentions that the geraniol in basil and lemongrass appears to fight cancer. But if I score these two herbs 1 for cancer, then I should score those herbs richer in geraniol.